Vertical axis wind turbine standards. A vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) using vertical wind turbine technology shall be permitted in all zone districts as an accessory use, subject to the following requirements:

Lighting. A small wind-energy system or VAWT shall not be artificially lighted unless such lighting is required by the Federal Aviation Administration. A light temporarily used to inspect a turbine, tower and associated equipment is permissible, provided that said light is only used for inspection purposes and not left on for an extended period of time.

Decibel levels. Decibel levels for a small wind-energy system or VAWT shall not exceed the lesser of sixty (60) decibels (dBa) as measured at the closest neighboring inhabited dwelling, except during short-term events, such as utility outages and severe wind storms.

Color. The color of the small wind-energy system shall either be the stock color from the manufacturer or painted with a nonreflective, unobtrusive color that blends in with the surrounding environment. Approved colors include but are not limited to white, off-white or gray.

Signs. All signs, other than the manufacturer's or installer's identification, appropriate warning signs, or owner identification on a wind generator, tower, building, or other structure associated with a small wind-energy system or VAWT visible from any public road shall be prohibited.

Code compliance. A wind-energy structure including tower shall comply with all applicable State construction and electrical codes, and the National Electrical Code as adopted by the City.

Screening. Ground-level mechanical equipment associated with the wind-energy system shall conform to Section 405.120(B), Screening.

The structure shall comply with all applicable Federal Aviation Administration requirements, including but not limited to Subpart B (commencing with Section 77.11) of Part 77 of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations regarding installations in excess of two hundred (200) feet in height and installations close to airports. The system shall also comply with any and all Missouri aeronautics regulations.

All electrical wires associated with a wind-energy system, other than wires necessary to connect the wind generator to the tower wiring, the tower wiring to the disconnect junction box, and the grounding wires shall be located underground.

A VAWT tower shall be designed and installed so as to not provide step bolts or a ladder readily accessible to the public for a minimum height of eight (8) feet above the ground.

No part of the system, including guy wire anchors, may be closer than five (5) feet from any property boundary.

Temporary meteorological (Met) towers shall be permitted under the same standards as a small wind-energy system, except that the requirements shall be the same as those for a temporary structure. A permit for a temporary Met tower shall be valid for a maximum of three (3) years after which an extension may be granted. Permanent Met towers may be permitted under the same standards as a small wind energy system.

All ground-mounted electrical and control equipment shall be labeled or secured to prevent unauthorized access.

Solar energy systems are permitted in all zoning districts as an accessory use.

A solar energy system shall provide power for the principal use and/or accessory use of the property on which the solar energy system is located.

A roof- or building-mounted solar energy system may be mounted on a principal or accessory building.

A roof-mounted solar collection system shall not exceed by more than eighteen (18) inches above the roof on which it is located, nor shall it extend a minimum of one (1) foot below the ridge line.

A solar collection system may be located on an accessory structure.

The zone district height limitations of this Code shall not be applicable to solar collectors, provided that such structures are erected only to such height as is reasonably necessary to accomplish the purpose for which they are intended to serve, and that such structures do not obstruct solar access to neighboring properties.

Placement of solar collectors on flat roofs shall be allowed by right, provided that panels do not extend horizontally past the roofline.

A development proposed to have a solar collection system located on the roof or attached to a structure, or an application to establish a system on an existing structure, shall provide a structural certification as part of the building permit application.

The height of the solar collector and any mounts shall not exceed twenty (20) feet when oriented at maximum tilt.

Any solar collector and any mounts, in a residential district, shall not exceed the greater of one-half (1/2) the footprint of the principal structure or six hundred (600) square feet, whichever is greater. The size of any solar collector and any mounts in mixed use and non-residential districts shall not exceed one-half (1/2) of the footprint of the principal structure.

The surface area of a ground- or pole-mounted system, regardless of the mounted angle, shall be calculated as part of the overall coverage.

The minimum solar energy system setback distance from the property lines shall be equivalent to the building setback or accessory building setback requirement of the underlying zoning district, and the system may not be located in the front yard.

All power transmission lines from a ground-mounted solar energy system to any building or other structure shall be located underground and/or in accordance with the building electrical code, as appropriate.

All abandoned or unused freestanding solar energy systems shall be removed within twelve (12) months of the cessation of operations.

In general. The Director, in consultation with Code Enforcement, shall have up to fifteen (15) working days following the submittal of a complete application to approve or deny such application. The Director may impose such conditions and require such guarantees deemed reasonable and necessary to protect public interest and to ensure compliance with the standards and purposes of this Zoning Ordinance and policies of the land use.

All solar collection installations shall be performed by a qualified solar installer, and, prior to operation, the electrical connections shall be inspected by the Code Enforcement Director. In addition, any connection to the public utility grid must be inspected by the appropriate public utility.

Submittal requirements. An application for a solar energy system shall be filed on a form, approved by the Director, with any other required documentation he or she should deem necessary.

Terminology. Green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) may also be referred to as green infrastructure, stormwater control measures, or post-construction permanent stormwater best management practices (stormwater BMPs).

Utilize and protect the natural stormwater system. Natural drainage paths, streams, undisturbed green spaces, wetlands and riparian areas are all efficient low-cost natural stormwater management features. This is the existing natural stormwater management system and should be preserved and utilized where practical. Replacing the services provided by these natural systems with man-made systems requires significant capital investment and time, creates the need for ongoing operation and maintenance of these systems, and reduces the value of natural resources.

Capture rain where it falls. Managing rain with the use of green stormwater infrastructure in close proximity to where it hits the ground can reduce the need for stormwater pipes and can provide a more efficient means for infiltration and treatment of runoff. Green stormwater infrastructure can also help create a more aesthetically pleasing environment, provide improved pedestrian connectivity, maintain natural areas, reduce heat islands and improve air quality.

Minimize impervious surfaces. Impervious surfaces, such as roadways, parking lots and rooftops, reduce the available area for infiltration and increase the rate and volume of runoff. By minimizing impervious surfaces, stormwater volume and flow rates can be decreased, thereby reducing likelihood of flash flooding, stream channel erosion and impaired water quality. Development and redevelopment improvements are encouraged to minimize increased impervious areas through use of alternative permeable materials, or, remove un-used impervious areas to reduce the negative impacts of development on the City’s stormwater management systems.